What a weekend it has been for New Zealand.
First and foremost, thank you to everyone who voted, campaigned, and supported the push for sensible, equal governance. While the preliminary election numbers give us a clearer picture of where the country stands, let me be very clear: this election is far from over.
We do not have a final result yet, and we will not know that final outcome for almost three weeks—not until the special votes are fully counted and declared on 27 November.
However, looking at the preliminary counts, there is unmistakably a much clearer pathway forward for the centre-right bloc.
Reflecting on What Was at Stake
As we look back over our messaging throughout this election campaign, our core warning remains as vital as ever: New Zealand simply cannot afford a left-wing government driven by deeply divisive policies.
Labour refused to rule out Te Pāti Māori, and the election results make one thing undeniable—Labour would have required Te Pāti Māori to form a government. Having Te Pāti Māori anywhere near the levers of power would present a catastrophic risk to the future of our democracy, our economy, and our social cohesion.
When you look at the policy platforms of the Greens and TOP, their agendas are fundamentally aligned with Labour’s—obsessed with co-governance, Treaty reinterpretation, and policies destined to divide New Zealanders by race rather than unite us as one people.
[CHIP IN TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE INCOMING GOVERNMENT]
A Clear Mandate for Change
The majority of New Zealanders have voiced a strong preference for a centre-right coalition. Crucially, the strong turnout and solid support for both ACT and NZ First mean that their voices—and their policies—must carry significant weight in the coming negotiations.
Both ACT and NZ First have taken firm, clear stances on the issues Hobson’s Pledge supporters care about most:
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Abolishing separate Māori electorates to ensure every citizen has an equal say in our democracy.
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Disestablishing or reining in the Waitangi Tribunal, ending decades of that unelected body trying to dictate public policy.
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Removing race-based division from our legislation, healthcare, and public institutions.
Our hope is that the strong mandate given to ACT and NZ First will give National the strength and backbone it needs to stand firm on these vital issues.
Keeping Hobson’s Pledge Front and Centre
While we await the final tally over the next fortnight, Hobson’s Pledge will not be sitting on the sidelines. We are working to ensure that the core issues of democratic equality remain front, centre, and non-negotiable as formal coalition talks get underway.
Once the final count is locked in and a government is sworn in, our work intensifies. We will be holding all parties accountable—particularly those politicians who made firm campaign promises to our supporters and the wider public. Promises made on the campaign trail must become policy in government office.
At its core, Hobson’s Pledge stands for the enduring principles New Zealand urgently needs:
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Equal rights for every citizen, regardless of background or ethnicity; and
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One law for all, with no room for two-tiered governance.
These principles are what New Zealand needs to move forward with confidence and unity.
Let’s see what the special votes bring on 27 November. In the meantime, thank you for standing with us in the fight for one law for all.
